Jephthah and Other Mysteries

PRELUDE. XXi And Freedom stands, re-risen from the rod, A goodlier godhead than the broken God ; Uniting all the universe in this Music more musical than breezes’ kiss, A song more potent than the sullen sea, The triumph of the freedom of the free, One stronger song than thrilled the rapturous birth Of stars and planets and the mother, earth ; As lovers, calling lovers when they die, Strangle death’s torture in love’s agony; As waters, shaken by the storm, that roar, Sea unto sea; as stars that burn before The blackness; as the mighty cry of swords Raging through battle, for its stronger chords ; And for its low entrancing music, made As waters lambent in the listening glade; As Sappho’s yearning to the amorous sea ; As Man’s Prometheus, in captivity Master and freeman ; as the holy tune All birds, all lovers, whisper to the moon. So, passionate and pure, the strong chant rolls, Queen of the mystic unity of souls; So from eternity its glory springs King of the magical brotherhood of kings; The absolute crown and kingdom of desire, _Earth’s virgin chaplet, molten in the fire, Sealed in the sea, betokened by the wind : “There is one God, the Spirit of Mankind!”